Price and specifications of LG CU720 Shine advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview

The LG CU720 Shine is a classic feature phone that was first announced in October 2007. This mobile device stands as a testament to the era's design and technology, offering essential functionality wrapped in a sleek design. Though now discontinued, the Shine series remains memorable to many mobile phone enthusiasts. The LG CU720 Shine was known for its robust build and mirrored finish, complemented by a decent array of features tailored for everyday use.

Design and Build

The LG CU720 Shine is characterized by its metallic body and sleek dimensions, measuring 100 x 50.5 x 15 mm. It weighs in at 119 grams, making it a relatively compact and lightweight device for its time. The metal finish adds a touch of elegance and durability, while the mirrored surface is particularly noteworthy, giving the phone its 'Shine' name. The device supports a Mini-SIM, standard for phones from that time.

Display

Featuring a 2.2-inch TFT display, the LG CU720 provides a screen resolution of 240 x 320 pixels at a density of approximately 182 pixels per inch. While modest by today’s standards, this display was quite adequate for basic tasks such as reading messages, navigating through the phone menus, and viewing photos. The display supports 256K colors, ensuring vibrant visuals.

Camera

On the camera front, the LG CU720 Shine is equipped with a 2 MP rear camera. It comes with Schneider-Kreuznach optics and an LED flash, offering users the ability to capture photos with satisfactory clarity given its modest specifications. The camera supports video recording, providing users the functionality to shoot videos when needed. While the camera features are not extensive, they were in line with feature phones from the same period.

Performance and Storage

As a feature phone, the LG CU720 Shine is not equipped with advanced processing capabilities, but it was designed to effectively handle essential tasks. It has an internal memory of 50MB, which can be expanded through a dedicated microSD slot, allowing users to store additional files such as music and photos. The phone can save up to 500 phonebook entries and keeps records of the last 50 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable 900 mAh Li-Ion battery. This provided the LG CU720 Shine with a standby time of up to 250 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours, which was sufficient for regular daily use. The battery performance was quite standard for feature phones at that time, balancing power consumption with usability.

Connectivity

The LG CU720 Shine offers 2G and 3G connectivity with support for GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 850/1900 bands, facilitating basic mobile communication and data services. It includes Bluetooth version 1.2 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming. However, the phone lacks Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities, which aligns with its status as a feature phone rather than a smartphone.

Sound and Multimedia

For audio, the LG CU720 offers a loudspeaker and supports vibration and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. However, it does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack, which was a limitation for users wishing to use wired audio devices. Multimedia capabilities include the support for games, with additional downloads possible, and Java MIDP 2.0, allowing for basic Java applications.

Messaging and Browser

The device supports various messaging formats, including SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email, making communication versatile. The built-in browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML, allowing for basic web browsing capabilities, albeit limited by modern standards.

Additional Features

Additional features of the LG CU720 Shine include a variety of pre-installed applications and the ability to download games and other content to enhance the device's functionality. The phone does not include sensors commonly found in modern smartphones, reflecting its status as a simpler mobile solution for its era.

Market Position and Pricing

Upon its release, the LG CU720 Shine was positioned as an upper-tier feature phone, offering stylish design and necessary functionality at a competitive price point. The device was available in a classic silver color, appealing to consumers seeking a sophisticated look. The phone was priced at approximately 70 EUR, making it accessible yet desirable due to its design and brand value.

Conclusion

The LG CU720 Shine exemplifies the feature phone era with its focus on practical design and essential mobile functionality. While it lacks the advanced capabilities and smart features of modern smartphones, it remains a notable device for its design, build quality, and the roles it served during its time. As technology continues to advance, the LG CU720 Shine serves as a reminder of the elegance and simplicity of feature phones in the mid-2000s. Despite being discontinued, the phone's design and utility cement its place in mobile phone history.